The Dickinson Community |
Messenger
 
 
March 9, 2015  
IN THIS ISSUE:
Principal Post
Little Theater Cast Party
Pennies for Patients
Dragon's Lair Used Book Faire
Family Movie Night
Messenger Editor Opportunity
Reader Board Volunteer Opportunity
Reflections: Congratulations to Ava Olson!
Congratulations Destination Imagination Participants
PTSA Information for Families Moving to Alcott
Math Challenge 10 Random Prize Drawing
Interested in Earning Extra Money?
Special Benefit for PTA Members: Cirque du Soleil
ASB News
Principal Post

As a member of the LWSD Long-Term Facilities Task Force, I encourage all community members to participate in the process that will impact the future of our district.  The task force is comprised of parents and district leaders, as well as business and community representatives. Our mission is to engage in deep learning about our existing facilities, explore potential options to provide additional classroom space and/or modernize existing space, as well as advise the school board on a future bond measure. 

 

Please take some time to review the information on this issue provided on our new website: http://lwsd-facilitiesplanning.publicmeeting.info/. After reviewing the information, community members are invited to give their feedback to inform our process.  It is important to look at all of the tabs prior to voting, as some choices have underlying consequences that may not be readily known. One example of this is the option to take back the use of the Old Redmond Schoolhouse, which would result in a loss of district State Construction Funding Assistance eligibility for 10 years if used for the K-12 instructional program.  This would be the case at the Old Dickinson classrooms as well, which have been removed from the K-5 service model.  There are several other issues such as the consideration of year-round school and double-shifting schools that require an informed decision to ensure we understand what the community is asking for in a solution to our student enrollment growth impacts.

 

The task force is accepting feedback through the survey at the above link through March 13.  I appreciate your assistance in ensuring we develop the best possible plan for the future of our students.

 

Karen Barker

Principal

 
Little Theater Cast Party
Monday, March 16, 3:30-5pm, Dickinson Commons
We are excited to have a cast member party for all of the kids who have worked on the Little Theater production of "The Day Zero Left Dodge".
The cast party will be on Monday, March 16, from 3:30pm to 5pm, in the Commons.

Pennies for Patients Drive!

March 16-27

We are starting our annual Pennies for Patients drive on March 16!  We are asking students to bring in coins or dollars to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Last year, Dickinson/Explorer raised over $5,000 dollars. This year I think we can top that!  Each student will receive a collection box to collect their money.  Look for these boxes to come home next week with your student.  There is also a website where you can donate online.  Thank you in advance for helping raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!   


 

Dragon's Lair Used Book Faire
March 23-27
Clear those shelves & donate books, games and movies now! 
The Fourth Annual Dickinson/Explorer Used Book Faire (Dragon's Lair) is in 2 weeks!  We need your donations!
  • children's books for all ages
  • 'Grown-up' books
  • movies on DVD or Video (G or PG only)
  • Games

A collection box is in the school lobby. Please clear out those unwanted books and games, and send them on to be enjoyed by another eager reader.  Accept the challenge! Clear out those shelves to make room for new treasures. I can't wait to see what you dig up! Questions?  Email: Wendy Woolsey at [email protected].

 

Family Movie Night Pajama Jam!
Thursday, March 26, 6-8pm, Dickinson Commons
PTSA Free Community Event
Thursday, March 26, 2015
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Movie will begin promptly at 6:30!

Movie: The Penguins of Madagascar
Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Rating: PG

It's time for a fun, family movie with your family and all of your friends from school! Come dressed in your pajamas, and bring a pillow, blanket, and your favorite stuffy. This will be a fun evening together and we hope that our new students starting next year from Einstein, and our preschool students can join us! This event is sponsored by the Dickinson/Explorer PTSA.

Questions? Please email Tonya Lyle-Glaister at [email protected] for answers, or if you would like to help out with this event.

Messenger Editor Volunteer Opportunity 

The PTSA is looking for a volunteer who is interested in editing and organizing our weekly school newsletter. The Messenger runs on an email platform and takes about two hours or less a week to put together. This is a position you can do entirely by email from your home and on your own schedule. You do not need experience to volunteer for this position. We are looking for someone for the 2015/16 school year. Our wonderful volunteer, Molly Hepkin, has completed two years of editing our newsletter and she would like to move on to some new volunteering opportunities! She is happy to begin training a volunteer through June so that person is ready to start when school begins again in the fall. If you are interested in volunteering for this position or have any questions, please email Molly at [email protected]

 

Reader Board Volunteer Opportunity
We have a great opportunity for someone who wants to help out at school, but does not have a lot of extra time. We need a new "Reader Board" volunteer.  This person changes the messages on the Reader Board located at the entrance to our school. This is something that can be done any time that is convenient for you: during school hours, evenings, or weekends. This position requires a small amount of your time, but your contribution will be noticed by many!  Please contact Tonya at [email protected] if you are interested.

Reflections: Congratulations to Ava Olson!
Washington State PTA recently announced their statewide awards for the 2014-15 Reflections Contest. The Dickinson/Explorer PTSA would like to congratulate Ava Olson! Her film category Reflections Entry, entitled Appreciating What is Around Us, received an Award of Merit at the State Level. Great work Ava! We are proud of you.

Congratulations Destination Imagination Participants!
This year, Dickinson and Explorer students participated for the first time in the Destination Imagination program. Destination Imagination is an educational program in which student teams solve open-ended Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. These student teams are coached by parent volunteers. Teams have to think on their feet, work together and devise original solutions that satisfy the requirements of the Challenges. Grades K-2 teams are non-competitive. Grades 3 and up are competitive. 
Our students participating 
this year accomplished so much and had a wonderful time! Teams will begin forming again in September, so be on the look out for information then. If you are interested in finding out more about Destination Imagination, please contact Farah Khurrum.
  • Congratulations to Duncan Crowley and his mixed-school team, the Party Rockets, for their first place finish! They are going on to the State Competition! They competed in the Scientific division and created a one of a kind, hand made instrument that allows it's musician to illustrate cymatic sound (sound you can both hear and see). 
  • Congratulations also goes to the Sensational Six Team: Pari Ayer, Samantha Beko, Nihira Cherukuri, Vanessa Hepkin, Olivia Johnson & Sydney Martin! Their team competed for the first time this year and was awarded third place in the Fine Arts Category!  
  • Team DI Danger: Sulaimaan Khurrum, Sushant Sanklipur, Tejas Pakalapati, Damek Zezula, Marko Uveric and Bhargava Potturu competed in the technical category and built a robot!
  • There were two non-competitive teams with Dickinson/Explorer students in the Animal MishMash challenge. Julia Cady, Lucas Glaister, Liam Kaplan & Nilla Mugundan (not pictured) were part of the Boltz off the Edge Team. Chinmay Sanklipur, Olivia Lugtu, Penelope Hepkin & Uzair Khurrum were part of the DI Yen Team.   

PTSA Information for Families Moving to Alcott

The Alcott PTSA asked that we pass along the following message: We would like to welcome all the parents and students coming to Alcott next year and invite those families to join our board.  Please see below for more information.

2015-2016 Alcott PTSA Board Positions

Interested in Serving on the Alcott PTSA Board of Directors or Chair position? Your membership and contributions support our children and staff of Alcott Elementary -- why not take the next step by serving on our Board of Directors or as Chairs of a program or event? The PTSA Nominating Committee is taking nominations for our next PTSA Board of Directors. The officers will be voted in at the next General Membership meeting on March 12. We are looking for energetic, dynamic individuals who can provide strong support to the school's students and staff, as well as the school community.

 

No prior PTSA board experience is necessary as WSPTA provides a number of training sessions for elected board members to attend next year. For a list of Board job descriptions as well as Chair positions and other volunteer opportunities, please see the detailed explanations.

 

If you are interested in a board position, please contact one of our committee members with any questions or fill out a nomination form:

Amy Van Valkenburg - [email protected]

Sabrina Pinto - [email protected]

Zoe Goldring - [email protected]

 

Math Challenge 10: Random Prize Drawing 
Math Challenge 10 will be online March 13
It's not too late to join Math Challenge! Math Challenge is a free math enrichment program for Dickinson & Explorer students. Math Challenge 10 will be online March 13. Students who complete the minimum number of problems and submit their challenge in time will be entered into a drawing and may win a prize. To participate:

1) Go to this link.

2) Print out the current Math Challenge, neatly write your name, grade and teacher at the top.

3) Solve as many problems as you can. Be sure to pay attention to the minimum number required for your grade. Remember to ask for help if you need it!

4) Submit your solutions by the due date.

5) Check online the following week to see the answers.  

 

We will keep track of your submissions and will award randomly drawn prizes for some of the challenges! At the end of the school year we will give recognition to students who successfully complete at least 12 sets of challenges. The program is completely free and no sign-up is necessary. Questions? please contact  [email protected].  Good Luck!


Interested in earning extra money?
Sodexo Nutrition Services currently has paid positions available to help serve your students. Paid positions are 2-4 hours in length. Starting pay is $9.75 an hour.If interested, please call Nutrition Services at: 425-936-1393.

Special Benefit for PTA Members: Cirque Du Soleil!

Turn your world DOWN side UP as Cirque du Soleil invites you to delve into a world of curiosity. Come and find out how seeing is disbelieving: the world of KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities. After two long years, Cirque has returned and is now playing under the iconic blue and yellow Big Top at King County's Marymoor Park in Redmond. KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities is an ingenious blend of unusual curiosity acts and stunning acrobatic prowess from Cirque du Soleil. Let KURIOS show you that anything is possible through the power of imagination. Great seats are available and by using this link, you can get special pricing on Family Pack tickets! Just choose a date, then select the number of tickets you would like (3 or more to get the pricing), and you'll see the pricing appear with the designation "F4P". That tells you that you have the discounted pricing showing. No promo code is needed.


ASB News

Meetings:

5th grade Leaders: March 17, 12:00pm,  Mrs. Layton's room P-4
All ASB, March 19, 8:15-8:45am Library

Community Fliers, Events, and Information

Remember to check the Community Bulletin Board for sports registrations, community events, lectures, parenting classes, camps and other important information. Here are just a few of the many items on the board and from the community:


EHS Wolves Jr. Cheer Summer Camp.
More information can be found here.
 

Flyers available in the Lobby: Advantage Basketball Outreach.

 

Mother/Daughter Book Club for daughters ages 10-13 and their mothers. More information can be found here.


 
United Way's Free Tax Campaign, depending on income, you can file your taxes for free.  More information can be found here.

 

For Your Calendars  

March

13 No School LEAP Day

20 School Author Visit

23-27 Used Book Fair

24 PTSA Special Needs Group Meeting, 7-8:30pm, LWSD Resource Center

26 Family Movie Night
 

School District Calendars  |  Dickinson PTSA Calendar

Submissions for Messenger
Guidelines and Instructions. Email submissions: must be received by Wednesday at 5 pm. Please email submissions to: [email protected]

Please remember to add [email protected] to the safe senders list of your email provider. For help, go to www.safesenderslist.com

  
Nondiscrimination Notification

The Lake Washington School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, gender, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran, military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources 16250 NE 74th Street Redmond Washington, 98052 (425) 936-1266

SCHOOL LINKS
 
COMMUNITY LINKS
 
SCHOOL PHONE NUMBERS
Office: 425-936-2530
Safe Arrival: 425-936-2531
***24 Hour School Attendance Hotline***
Call anytime, day or night, and leave a detailed message.
(425) 936-2531

MESSENGER NEWSLETTER

 

THE VIRTUES PROJECT

 

March's Virtue is Cooperation.

 

 

SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL WHILE YOU SHOP!   
   
Simply click the amazon school rewards box before shopping and 4-10% of your purchase goes to our school, automatically!